In the 2012 edition of Open Days, the Liaison agency Flanders-Europe leads the Open Days consortium"contributing to rural-urban bonds in peri-urban regions". The regional partnership consists of Communauté urbaine de Dunkerque (FR), Elche (ES), Flanders (BE), Regional Authority FrankfurtRheinMain (DE), Nord-Pas de Calais (FR), Randstad  Region (NL), South Moravian Region (CZ), Stavanger Region (NO), Stuttgart Region (DE) and Surrey County (UK).In view of current developments in cohesion policy and rural development policy, the multi-annual financial framework and European initiatives such as RURBAN, this timely workshop will contribute to the debate on rural-urban bonds – particularly in peri-urban regions where there is growing pressure on space and resources.  Challenges include:1.The limited integration of the city with its surrounding areas and the countryside where the physical barriers are not so visible (peri-urban)2.Managing competition for resources by urban and rural functions.3.Setting effective policies 4.Engaging all governance levels 5.Identifying and transferring best practices.